FATFreq Grand Maestro VS Empire Ears Raven

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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FATFreq Grand Maestro and Empire Ears Raven use 1DD+8BA+4EST and 2DD+5BA+4EST+1BC driver setups respectively. FATFreq Grand Maestro costs $3,334 while Empire Ears Raven costs $3,600. Empire Ears Raven is $266 more expensive. Empire Ears Raven holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.4 vs 8.5). Empire Ears Raven has slightly better bass with a 0.3-point edge, Empire Ears Raven has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge, FATFreq Grand Maestro has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge, FATFreq Grand Maestro has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge, Empire Ears Raven has significantly better details with a 2.3-point edge and Empire Ears Raven has significantly better imaging with a 1.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric FATFreq Grand Maestro Empire Ears Raven
Bass 7.8 8
Mids 6.8 8
Treble 7.5 6
Details 6.8 9
Soundstage 9 8.5
Imaging 7.3 9
Dynamics 8.5 8
Tonality 8.2 8.2
Technicalities 8 8.9

FATFreq Grand Maestro Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Smirk Audio
Jays Audio Jaytiss IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

8.4

Very Positive


Empire Ears Raven Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


FATFreq Grand Maestro User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Empire Ears Raven User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

FATFreq Grand Maestro Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Empire Ears Raven Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.1

Gaming Grade

A-

FATFreq Grand Maestro Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Bass A
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids B+
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics S-
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S
Reference-class soundstage: perfectly spherical presentation with infinite space. Utterly realistic instrument placement and venue reproduction.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging A-
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Empire Ears Raven Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble B
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics A+
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging S
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

FATFreq Grand Maestro Reviews

Jays Audio 9.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
The best basshead set. That is all. EXPENSIVE. If you just want bass HBB Punch way better value.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
Jaytiss 9.3 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Is one of those sets that can do it all. Very impressive.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: S Soundstage: S
Smirk Audio 7.7 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: A Dynamics: A+ Details: A Imaging: A
Nymz 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B Tech
See Maestro SE but with worse bass.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

- Nymz
Bass: A- Mids: B Treble: A- Details: B Imaging: A-
IEMRanking AI 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech

The FATFreq Grand Maestro offers a highly adaptable sound signature through its NOAH modules and vocal switches, enabling four distinct tuning profiles. The black NOAH module emphasizes sub-bass "slam," while the blue variant provides tighter "rumble" control; combined with the vocal switch, these allow shifts from a bass-forward signature to a more mid-centric presentation. Bass is deep and authoritative but avoids midrange bleed, while the treble—handled by electrostatic drivers—delivers clarity without sibilance or fatigue.

Technically, it excels in imaging precision and creates an immersive, three-dimensional soundstage that positions instruments with remarkable specificity. However, its large shell size may challenge those with smaller ears, and it demands power-hungry sources—often requiring high-gain amplification to reach full potential. The deluxe package includes both NOAH modules and an upgraded cable, enhancing its tuning flexibility.

- IEMRanking AI

Empire Ears Raven Reviews

Jays Audio 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
V/W Shaped. Energetic treble. Great tech. Fun bass and engaging signature. Overpriced?

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
Precogvision 8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
S- Tech
Sounds quite hi-fi and grand sounding, but coherency could use work - bass is distinct from the EST tweeters.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: B Dynamics: A+ Details: S Imaging: S

FATFreq Grand Maestro User Reviews

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Empire Ears Raven User Reviews

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